Entertainment in Helsinki
-
A
Ooppera Talo
Opera, ballet and classical concerts are held here, though not during summer. Performances of the Finnish National Opera are subtitled in Finnish.
reviewed
-
B
Rymy Eetu
Fancy a beer? Then you’re after a 1L pint of a genuine German pilsener or one of the huge array of brews at this Bavarian beer hall. You can order some dumplings, or bread and sauerkraut, to soak up the booze while tapping your foot to Finnish humppa (jazz-based music). The pub’s namesake is, ironically, a modest, chubby Finnish cartoon character, who is known for his nonchalant resistance to the Nazis during WWII, and who you’ll see throughout the bar’s decor.
reviewed
-
C
Hartwall Arena
If you're around in winter (September-March), take the chance to see a major ice hockey game. Big matches are played at the huge Hartwall Arena in Pasila, north of the centre (tram 7A or 7B). The stadium hosted ice hockey world championships in 1997 and 2004, and is home to Helsinki superleague side Jokerit. You can also catch games at the indoor arena of the Olympic Stadium off Mannerheimintie.
reviewed
-
D
Lost & Found
You can skip the bar upstairs and head down to the dark grotto-like dance floor downstairs that’s decked out in luminescent designs. Still a gay venue (they style themselves as a ‘hetero-friendly gay club’), the tunes are often chart-based, with a sign near the DJ booth ‘Don’t request. I’ll play it eventually’. It’s often the spot for after-parties for big gigs.
reviewed
-
E
Helsinki Club
If you're partying late, this is a mainstream dance club popular with a youthful local crowd. The interior is pretty tacky, with dodgy wallpaper and worse carpet; make it to the cooler back dancefloor if you can. During the week there is a variety of local acts, with big-name DJs at weekends (minimum age for entry on weekends is 24).
reviewed
-
F
Club Uniq
Across the road from Helsinki Club, the small dance floor gets busy most nights but the novelty vote goes to the tiny Arctic Icebar (;17:00-04:00; admission around €10) inside the club: don an insulated coat, sip a vodka shot in a balmy -5ºC, and watch the sweaty ravers outside through the glass wall. Minimum age 24.
reviewed
-
G
Corona & Café Mokba
These two quirky bars are owned by filmmakers Aki and Mika Kaurismäki and attract a savvy, grungy crowd. Corona has cool bar staff and about 20 pool tables, so it's popular with drinkers and sharks. Mokba is a tiny Russian-influenced bar with ironic Soviet-era décor, flock wallpaper and almost comically gruff service.
reviewed
-
H
Corona Bar & Kafe Moskova
Those kooky film-making Kaurismäki brothers are up to their old tricks with this pair of conjoined drinking dens. Corona plays the relative straight man with 20 pool tables and cheap beer, while Moskova is back in the USSR with a bubbling samovar and Soviet vinyl. At closing they clear the place out by playing Brezhnev speeches.
reviewed
-
I
A21 Cocktail Lounge
You’ll need to ring the doorbell to get into this chic club but it’s worth the intrigue to swing with Helsinki’s arty set. The interior is sumptuous in gold, but the real lushness is in the cocktails, particularly the Finnish blends that toss lakka and rhubarb to create the city’s most innovative tipples.
reviewed
-
J
Grand Casino Helsinki
Grand Casino Helsinki is the city's only casino and the largest in Finland. It has 30 table games including poker, roulette and blackjack, and approximately 300 slot machines. The age limit is 18 and foreigners should carry their passport at all times for identification. Check out the mechanical horseracing.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Spårakoff - Pub Tram
It may sound strange, or perhaps just a good idea, but in summer you can catch the bright red pub tram from the train station, with stops at the Opera House and kauppatori. It's a bit pricey and beers cost more than they do in less salubrious establishments but it's a quaint way to do a quick tour of town.
reviewed
-
K
Ateljee Bar
It’s worth the climb up to this tiny perch on the roof of the Sokos Hotel Torni for the city panorama. Taking the lift to the 12th floor is the best option, then there’s a narrow winding staircase to the top. Downstairs, the courtyard Tornin Piha is a cute little terrace with good wines by the glass.
reviewed
-
L
Finnair Stadium
Next to the Olympic Stadium, this is the home ground of local footballers, HJK Helsinki. The team’s the closest thing Finland has to a Real Madrid or a Manchester United, having won 21 Finnish league titles and even having made a foray into the group stages of the Champions League a few years back.
reviewed
-
M
Arctic Icebar
Not cold enough outside? Then try this bar that’s literally carved out of ice including tables and bar. It’s minus 5°C so you’ll need the furry cape they loan you on entry and the complimentary warming drink included in the price. There’s an age minimum of 24, and it’s located above La Bodega.
reviewed
-
N
Rosegarden
On Iso-Rooberinkatu is a growing list of clubs showcasing the latest in cool Helsinki nightlife. We Got Beef (679 268; Iso-Rooberinkatu 21; ;13:00-02:00 Sun-Tue, 13:00-03:00 Wed-Sat) and Rosegarden are two worth checking out for DJ club music, drum & bass, dancing or lounging.
reviewed
-
Tokio
This hole-in-the-wall distinguishes itself among the area’s dives with a slick interior including funky art adorning the walls. The good sushi and lazy lounge music embody a bohemian feel that’s everything that’s good about Kallio. Look for the narrow bike parked out front.
reviewed
-
O
Heavy Corner
Known as a pick-up joint, this metal club virtually has an all-black dress code to hear the rockingest tunes and often metal karaoke, featuring super-serious patrons who believe they are auditioning for Children of Bodom. Wait until you leave to start snickering.
reviewed
-
P
Teatteri
In a stylish former Swedish theatre, this club has three floors of fun from the sophisticated Long bar with its modernist paintings and web-spun light fixtures to the summer-swelling terraces. It’s got an older more relaxed crowd and can be packed on weekends.
reviewed
-
Q
Tavastia & Semi-final
There's always something happening at Finland's biggest rock music club. Live bands, including international acts, hit the stage in this hangar-sized venue. Also check out what's on at Semi-final (same contact and opening times), the smaller sister venue.
reviewed
-
R
We Got Beef
On Iso-Rooberinkatu is a growing list of clubs showcasing the latest in cool Helsinki nightlife. We Got Beef and Rosegarden (Iso-Rooberinkatu 10; ;22:00-04:00 Wed-Sat) are two worth checking out for DJ club music, drum & bass, dancing or lounging.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Cuba! Cafe
Certainly one of Helsinki’s brighter bars, this place is done out in peach and mojito limes with a small stage that features a Havana-style taxi and DJs or salsa bands. Beers, cocktails and dancing are the order of the night in this party place.
reviewed
-
S
Hola
The retro vibe with ’70s tiles and comfy microcouches makes this place popular with university students. There’s dancing potential in the front room and a small art exhibition – all of which mark this out as one of Kallio’s better bars.
reviewed
-
T
LU
Ascend into clubbing heaven at this super slick club with stellar lighting, Kamppi-top views and high-altitude cocktails. Music runs from sexy lounge to sweaty funk with local DJs and international visitors. Enter via Kamppi Square.
reviewed
-
U
DTM
Scandinavia’s biggest gay club is a multilevel complex with an early-opening cafe-bar. There are a couple of club areas opening at 9pm (with a minimum age of 22) and regular club nights, as well as drag shows or women-only sessions.
reviewed
-
V
Aussie Bar
Run by descendants of convicts with plenty of ‘G’days’, this laid-back pub doesn’t miss a cliché. Beneath the corrugated iron and faux colonial fittings it makes for a good watering hole that’s popular with locals.
reviewed
